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Common mental health problems in rural-to-urban migrant workers in Shenzhen, China: prevalence and risk factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 January 2017

B. L. Zhong ,
T. B. Liu ,
S. S. M. Chan ,
D. Jin ,
C. Y. Hu ,
J. Dai  and
H. F. K. Chiu
B. L. Zhong
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China Affiliated Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
T. B. Liu
Affiliation:
Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
S. S. M. Chan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
D. Jin
Affiliation:
Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
C. Y. Hu
Affiliation:
Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
J. Dai
Affiliation:
Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
H. F. K. Chiu*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
*
*Address for correspondence: H. F. K. Chiu, Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ground Floor, Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Aims.

Rural-to-urban migrant workers are a large marginalised population in urban China. Prevalence estimates of common mental health problems (CMHPs) in previous studies varied widely and very few studies have investigated migration-related factors of CMHPs in migrant workers. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CMHPs among Chinese migrant workers.

Methods.

A random sample of 3031 migrant workers of ten manufacturing factories in Shenzhen, China, completed a standardised questionnaire containing socio-demographic and migration-related variables and the Chinese 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A GHQ-12 score of three or higher was used to denote the presence of CMHPs.

Results.

The prevalence of CMHPs was 34.4% in Chinese migrant workers. In multiple logistic regression, risk factors for CMHPs included being 16–25 years old (odd ratio [OR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28, 2.12), being 26–35 years old (OR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.75), low monthly income (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.04, 1.92), poor living condition (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.54), physical illness in the past 2 weeks (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.43, 2.05), having worked in many cities (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03, 1.74), infrequently visiting hometown (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.22, 1.99), poor Mandarin proficiency (OR 1.51, 95%CI 1.13, 2.01), a low level of perceived benefits of migration (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.14, 1.55) and working more than 8 h/day (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.14, 1.70).

Conclusions.

CMHPs are very prevalent among Chinese migrant workers. Given the large number of Chinese migrant workers, there is an urgent need to address the mental health burden of China's migrant worker population.

Keywords

Chinacommon mental health problemepidemiologyrural-to-urban migrant worker
Type
Original Articles
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , June 2018 , pp. 256 - 265
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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